Storage Device

ABSTRACT

A storage device includes a plurality of shells with each shell having upper and lower ends, front and back faces, and opposed sides. Each shell defines an enclosed interior area and having a door for accessing the interior area. The shells are selectively maintained one above another in a stacked configuration. The shells are allowed to rotate relative to one another so as to selectively maintain respective back faces adjacent one another. The shells are able to separate from one another. A plurality of wheels are adjacent at least one shell back face adjacent a respective upper end or lower end. At least one shell includes a retractable handle. At least one shell includes a hanger element configured to distribute a hanging force throughout the shell upper end.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation-in-part application that claims thebenefit of U.S. application Ser. No. 11/962,671 filed Dec. 21, 2007 andtitled Flame Retardant Storage Device.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to fireproof storage devices and, moreparticularly, to a storage device that may be hung on a door or in acloset and which is configured to store multiple documents and toprotect them from the effects of flames.

People often choose to store important documents in a file cabinet fororganizational reasons or even in a safe so as to keep them secure fromintrusion. Document organizers, storage containers, or even safes aretypically stored by sliding them under beds, stacked in a closet, orplaced in larger containers like file cabinets, making storage a realproblem. However, there is always a risk that such documents or othervaluable articles may still become lost, stolen, or destroyed should thelocations of the documents be burglarized, damaged, or exposed to afire.

Various devices have been proposed in the art for storing documents in afire retardant location. Although assumably effective for their intendedpurposes, the existing devices still present difficulty in storing largeamounts of documents in a conveniently accessible configuration or in amanner that remains substantially out of the way or even hidden when notneeded. Further, the existing devices do not provide store a largequantity of documents in a substantially fire retardant environment.

Therefore, it would be desirable to have a storage device having a slimbut elongate configuration that may be hung from a door or closet polesuch that it maximizes storage capacity without taking up floor space.Further, it would be desirable to have a storage device that remainsdurable and flexible while being flame retardant so as to prevent or atleast delay damage to stored documents if the storage device is exposedto flames. In addition, it would be desirable to have a storage devicein which each container portion may be selectively rotated or separatedfrom the others such that the container may be configured as a portablestorage device.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Therefore, a flame retardant storage device according to the presentinvention includes a flame retardant shell having upper and lower ends,front and back faces, and opposed sides. The shell defines an enclosedinterior area and includes at least one access door for accessing theinterior area. The storage device also includes a hanger element havinga first portion lowerly adjacent the shell upper end and beingconfigured to distribute a hanging force throughout the shell upper end.The hanger element includes a rotatable hook operatively coupled to thefirst portion and extends upwardly of the shell upper end. Further, thehanger element includes a fixed hook operatively coupled to the firstportion and extends upwardly of the shell upper end. The fixed hook isconfigured to attach to a top end of a door.

The rotatable hook is configured to attach to a generally horizontalpole—such as a closet clothes-hanging pole—and rotate at least aboutninety degrees relative to the first portion, whereby the shell rotatesbetween a configuration extending generally perpendicular to the poleand a configuration extending generally parallel to the pole.

According to another embodiment of the invention, the storage deviceincludes a plurality of shells with each shell having upper and lowerends, front and back faces, and opposed sides. Each shell defines anenclosed interior area and having a door for accessing the interiorarea. The shells are selectively maintained one above another in astacked configuration. The shells are allowed to rotate relative to oneanother so as to selectively maintain respective back faces adjacent oneanother. The shells are able to separate from one another. A pluralityof wheels are adjacent at least one shell back face adjacent arespective upper end or lower end. At least one shell includes aretractable handle. At least one shell includes a hanger elementconfigured to distribute a hanging force throughout the shell upper end.

Therefore, a general object of this invention is to provide a fireretardant storage device for storing a relatively large quantity ofdocuments in an easily accessible manner.

Another object of this invention is to provide a fire retardant storagedevice, as aforesaid, that includes a hanging element that enables thedevice to be hung from a door or closet pole.

Still another object of this invention is to provide a fire retardantstorage device, as aforesaid, having a construction that is flexible,durable, and flame retardant.

Yet another object of this invention is to provide a fire retardantstorage device, as aforesaid, that is rotatable while hanging betweenstorage and access configurations.

A further object of this invention is to provide a fire retardantstorage device, as aforesaid, that is cost-effective to manufacture.

A still further object of this invention is to provide a fire retardantstorage device, as aforesaid, in which a plurality of shells areselectively rotatable relative to one another such that various backfaces may be configured adjacent one another for use as a portablestorage device.

Other objects and advantages of the present invention will becomeapparent from the following description taken in connection with theaccompanying drawings, wherein is set forth by way of illustration andexample, embodiments of this invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a flame retardant storage deviceaccording to a preferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the storage device as in FIG. 1 with theaccess doors in an open configuration;

FIG. 3 a is another perspective view of the storage device as in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 b is an isolated view on an enlarged scale of a portion of thestorage device taken from FIG. 3 a, illustrating the access door in aclosed configuration;

FIG. 3 c is an isolated view on an enlarged scale of a portion of thestorage device taken from FIG. 3 a, illustrating the access door in anopen configuration and using a zipper fastener;

FIG. 4 a is another perspective view of the storage device as in FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 b is an isolated view on an enlarged scale taken from a portionof FIG. 4 a with the access door in an open configuration and in usewith a hook and loop fastener;

FIG. 5 a is another perspective view of the storage device as in FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 b is an isolated view on an enlarged scale taken from a portionof FIG. 5 a with a rotatable hook in a first position; and

FIG. 5 c is an isolated view on an enlarged scale taken from a portionof FIG. 5 a with a rotatable hook in a second position.

FIG. 6 a is a perspective view of a flame retardant storage deviceaccording to a preferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 6 b is an isolated view on an enlarged scale taken from a portionof FIG. 6 a;

FIG. 6 c is an isolated view on an enlarged scale taken from anotherportion of FIG. 6 a;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the storage device as in FIG. 6 a in afolded configuration;

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the storage device as in FIG. 7 with ahandle in an extended configuration;

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the storage device as in FIG. 7 with acarrying strap in an extended configuration;

FIG. 10 is a rear perspective view of the storage device as in FIG. 8;

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of a pair of shells separated from theother shells;

FIG. 12 is another perspective view of the pair of shells as in FIG. 11in a folded configuration;

FIG. 13 is an exploded view of the storage device as in FIG. 6 a; and

FIG. 14 is a perspective view of the pair of shells as in FIG. 11 in usestoring an object.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

A flame retardant storage device 100 according to the present inventionwill now be described in detail with reference to FIGS. 1 through 5 c ofthe accompanying drawings. More particularly, according to the currentinvention, a flame retardant storage device 100 includes a flameretardant shell 110 and a hanger element 130.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the shell 110 has upper and lower ends 112 a,112 b, front and back faces 114 a, 114 b, and opposed sides 116 a, 116b. The shell 110 defines an enclosed interior area 118 and has at leastone door 120 for accessing the interior area 118. The door 120 may be aflap having three sides 122 selectively coupled to the shell front face114 a. A zipper 124 (FIG. 3 c) and/or a hook and loop fastener 126 (FIG.4 b) selectively maintain the three sides 122 coupled to the shell frontface 114 a (FIG. 1) (i.e., at a closed configuration). The shell 110 maybe constructed of a durable material that is resistant to fire or coatedwith a substance that provides fire resistant properties; exemplarymaterials that may be used include Nomex, Modacrylic, and/or Twaron.

The enclosed area 118 may include a plurality of compartments 119, asshown in FIG. 2. The compartments 119 may each be accessed through arespective door 120, and the compartments 119 may be arranged whereby atleast one compartment 119 is upwardly adjacent another compartment 119.In one embodiment, at least one compartment is sized to receivepaperwork.

The hanger element 130 has a first portion 132 (FIG. 2) lowerly adjacentthe shell upper end 112 a. The first portion 132 is configured todistribute a hanging force throughout the shell upper end 112 a. Arotatable hook 134 may be operatively coupled to the first portion 132so that the rotatable hook 134 extends upwardly of the shell upper end112 a, and the rotatable hook 134 may be configured to attach to agenerally horizontal pole (e.g., a closet pole) and rotate at leastabout ninety degrees relative to the first portion 132 (FIGS. 5 b and 5c). A fixed hook 136 (FIG. 2) may be operatively coupled to the firstportion 132 so that the fixed hook 136 extends upwardly of the shellupper end 112 a, and the fixed hook 136 may be configured to attach to atop end of a door (not shown).

In use, the hanger element 130 may be used to attach the shell 110 to adoor or a pole (e.g., a closet pole). More particularly, the fixed hook136 may be placed over the top end of a door to attach the shell 110 tothe door, or the rotatable hook 134 may be placed over the pole toattach the shell 110 to the pole. If both the rotatable hook 134 and thefixed hook 136 are provided, the shell 110 may at times be attached tothe door and at other times be attached to the closet pole. The door(s)120 may be opened using the zipper 124 (FIG. 3 c) and/or the hook andloop fastener 126 (FIG. 4 b) to access the enclosed area 118 (e.g., thecompartments 119). If a compartment 119 is sized to receive paperwork asnoted above, paperwork may easily and securely be placed in thecompartment 119. It should be understood, however, that other items mayalso or alternately be received in the compartments 119. Once the itemsare placed in the compartments 119, the doors 120 may be closed by againusing the respective zipper 124 and/or hook and loop fastener 126.

As shown in FIG. 1, the shell 110 may have a generally rectangular crosssection when viewed from above. In one embodiment, this cross section ofthe shell 110 is sized to fit inside a closet when the rotatable hook134 is attached to the closet pole and the shell 110 extends generallyperpendicular to the closet pole. Such a configuration may allow thestorage device 100 to take up minimal room in a closet when not in use.To access the compartments 119 as discussed above, the hanger elementfirst portion 132 may rotate at least about ninety degrees relative tothe rotatable hook 134, causing the shell 110 to rotate between theconfiguration extending generally perpendicular to the closet pole (FIG.5 b) and a configuration extending generally parallel to the pole (FIG.5 c).

Another embodiment of a storage device 600 according to the presentinvention will now be described in detail with reference to FIGS. 6 athrough 14 of the accompanying drawings. The storage device 600 mayinclude the elements and features discussed above, and commonelements/features may be referred to herein and in the drawings by thesame reference numbers set forth above and in FIGS. 1 through 5 c.

As shown in FIGS. 6 a and 13, the device 600 has a plurality of shells110, and each shell 110 has upper and lower ends 112 a, 112 b, front andback faces 114 a, 114 b, opposed sides 116 a, 116 b, an enclosedinterior area 118, and a door 120 for accessing the interior area 118.Each shell 110 may further be resistant to fire, as set forth above.

At least one shell 110 in the storage device 600 has a hanger element130. The hanger element 130 may be substantially similar to the hangerelement 130 set forth above, and, as set forth above, each shell 110 mayhave a generally rectangular cross section sized to fit inside a closetwhen the shell 110 extends generally perpendicular to the closet pole.However, it may be especially beneficial for the hanger element 130 inthe storage device 600 to have a second portion (i.e., rotatable hook134 or fixed hook 136) that is selectively separable from the firstportion 132.

Means are included for selectively maintaining the shells 110 one aboveanother in a stacked configuration (FIG. 6 a), allowing the shells 110to rotate relative to one another to selectively maintain respectiveback faces 114 b adjacent one another (FIGS. 7 through 10 and FIG. 12),and allowing the shells 110 to separate from one another (FIG. 13). Forexample, a zipper 602 (FIG. 6 c) or other coupling element (e.g.,clasps, buckles, etc.) may be attached to the shells 110 (i.e., at theupper and lower ends 112 a, 112 b), and the coupling element may be usedto maintain the different configurations. With zipper 602, the zipper602 may travel around the shells 110 to couple the front faces 114 a ofadjacent shells 110 together and couple the back faces 114 b of adjacentshells 110 together to achieve the stacked configuration (FIG. 6 a), thezipper 602 may travel along the back faces 114 b of the adjacent shells110 (and not along the front faces 114 a) to couple the back faces 114 btogether and achieve the rotated configuration (FIGS. 7 through 10 andFIG. 12), and the zipper 602 may be used to separate the shells 110 fromone another (FIG. 13).

As shown in FIGS. 6 a and 11, a first handle portion 610 is adjacent theupper end 112 a of at least one shell 110 and a second handle portion612 is adjacent the lower end 112 b of at least one other shell 110.Means (e.g., snaps 615 shown in FIG. 6 a, ties, or other fasteners) maybe included for selectively coupling the first and second handleportions 610, 612 together (FIGS. 7, 9, 10, and 12). In someembodiments, each shell upper end 112 a has a first handle portion 610,and each shell lower end 112 b has a second handle portion 612. At leastone shell 110 having a first handle portion 610 has a first clasp 620,and at least one shell 110 having a second handle portion 612 has asecond clasp 622 that is complementary to the first clasp 620. As shownin FIGS. 7 through 10 and FIG. 12, the first and second clasps 620, 622may be selectively coupled together to help maintain the respective backfaces 114 b adjacent one another. A carrying strap 625 may be removablycoupled to at least one shell 110 that has a first handle portion 610 ora second handle portion 612, as shown in FIG. 9.

As shown in FIGS. 8 and 10, at least one shell 110 that has a firsthandle portion 610 or a second handle portion 612 includes a retractablehandle 630, and a plurality of wheels 635 are adjacent at least oneshell back face 114 b adjacent a respective upper end 112 a or lower end112 b.

In use, the zipper 602 (FIG. 6 c) or other coupling element may maintainthe shells 110 one above another in a stacked configuration (FIG. 6 a),as set forth above, and the storage device 600 may be used substantiallysimilar to the storage device 100. FIG. 14 shows objects (an exemplarylaptop computer 690 and padding 692, though it should be understood thatvarious objects may be appropriate) being moved to/from an interior area118. For transport, the zipper 602 or other coupling element may allowthe shells 110 to rotate relative to one another, as set forth above, toallow respective back faces 114 to be adjacent one another, as shown inFIGS. 7 through 10 and FIG. 12. Once the respective back faces 114 areadjacent one another, the first and second clasps 620, 622 may beselectively coupled together to help maintain the respective back faces114 b adjacent one another. The first and second handle portions 610,612 may also be coupled together to provide a unitary handle, and thecarrying strap 625 (FIG. 9) may be attached and used if desired.

If the retractable handle 630 and wheels 635 are included, theretractable handle 630 may be extended (see FIGS. 8 and 10) and thewheels 635 may be used to transport the shells 110. Part or all of thehanger element 130 may be removed for transport, as is clear fromcomparing FIG. 6 a and FIG. 10. If every shell 110 does not includefirst and second clasps 620, 622 and first and second handle portions610, 612, a respective shell 110 with a first clasp 620 and a firsthandle portion 610 should be positioned at the top of the stack, and arespective shell 110 with a second clasp 622 and a second handle portion612 should be positioned at the bottom of the stack (FIG. 6 a).

The zipper 602 or other coupling element may allow the shells 110 toseparate from one another (FIG. 13), as set forth above, which may allowmore or fewer shells 110 to be coupled together. For example, whileFIGS. 6 a through 10 show four shells 110 to be coupled together, onlytwo shells 110 are coupled together in FIGS. 11, 12, and 14. Separationmay also allow a single shell 110 to be used alone. From the descriptionset forth herein, it should be apparent that the storage device 600 maybe substantially more mobile than the storage device 100.

It is understood that while certain forms of this invention have beenillustrated and described, it is not limited thereto except insofar assuch limitations are included in the following claims and allowablefunctional equivalents thereof.

1. A flame retardant storage device, comprising: a plurality of flameretardant shells; each shell having upper and lower ends, front and backfaces, and opposed sides; each shell defining an enclosed interior areaand having a door for accessing said interior area; and couplingelements attached to said shells to: (A) selectively maintain saidshells one above another in a stacked configuration; (B) allow saidshells to rotate relative to one another to selectively maintainrespective back faces adjacent one another; and (C) allow said shells toseparate from one another; and wherein at least one said shell has ahanger element with first and second portions, said first portion beinglowerly adjacent said shell upper end and being configured to distributea hanging force throughout said shell upper end, said second portionextending upwardly of said shell upper end and having an attachmentconfiguration.
 2. The storage device of claim 1, wherein said secondportion having an attachment configuration is a fixed hook configured toattach to a top end of a door.
 3. The storage device of claim 1, whereinsaid second portion having an attachment configuration is a rotatablehook configured to attach to a generally horizontal pole and rotate atleast about ninety degrees relative to said first portion.
 4. Thestorage device of claim 1, wherein said first and second hanger elementportions are selectively separable.
 5. The storage device of claim 1,wherein said coupling elements include zippers.
 6. The storage device ofclaim 1, wherein at least one of a hook and loop fastener and a zipperselectively maintain said door at a closed configuration.
 7. The storagedevice of claim 1, further comprising: a first handle portion adjacentsaid upper end of at least one said shell having a hanger element; asecond handle portion adjacent at least one said shell lower end; andmeans for selectively coupling said first and second handle portionstogether.
 8. The storage device of claim 7, wherein: at least one saidshell having a first handle portion has a first clasp; at least one saidshell having a second handle portion has a second clasp complementary tosaid first clasp, said first and second clasps being selectively coupledtogether.
 9. The storage device of claim 8, further comprising acarrying strap removably coupled to at least one of a respective shellhaving a first handle portion and a respective shell having a secondhandle portion.
 10. The storage device of claim 9, wherein: at least onesaid shell having at least one of a first handle portion and a secondhandle portion includes a retractable handle; and a plurality of wheelsare adjacent at least one said shell back face adjacent a respectiveupper end or lower end.
 11. The storage device of claim 10, wherein:said second portion having an attachment configuration is one of a fixedhook configured to attach to a top end of a door and a rotatable hookconfigured to attach to a generally horizontal pole and rotate at leastabout ninety degrees relative to said first portion; said first andsecond hanger element portions are selectively separable; said couplingelements include zippers; and at least one of a hook and loop fastenerand a zipper selectively maintain said door at a closed configuration.12. The storage device of claim 1, wherein: at least one said shellhaving a hanger element has a first clasp; at least one other said shellhas a second clasp complementary to said first clasp, said first andsecond clasps being selectively coupled together; at least one saidshell having at least one of said first clasp and said second claspincludes a retractable handle; and a plurality of wheels are adjacent atleast one said shell back face adjacent a respective upper end or lowerend.
 13. A storage device, comprising: a plurality of shells; each shellhaving upper and lower ends, front and back faces, and opposed sides;each shell defining an enclosed interior area and having a door foraccessing said interior area; means for: (A) selectively maintainingsaid shells one above another in a stacked configuration; (B) allowingsaid shells to rotate relative to one another to selectively maintainrespective back faces adjacent one another; and (C) allowing said shellsto separate from one another; and a plurality of wheels adjacent atleast one said shell back face adjacent a respective upper end or lowerend; wherein at least one said shell includes a retractable handle; andwherein at least one said shell has a hanger element with first andsecond portions, said first portion being lowerly adjacent said shellupper end and being configured to distribute a hanging force throughoutsaid shell upper end, said second portion extending upwardly of saidshell upper end and having an attachment configuration.
 14. The storagedevice of claim 13, further comprising: a first handle portion adjacentsaid upper end of at least one said shell having a hanger element; asecond handle portion adjacent at least one said shell lower end; andmeans for selectively coupling said first and second handle portionstogether.
 15. The storage device of claim 14, wherein: at least one saidshell having a first handle portion has a first clasp; at least one saidshell having a second handle portion has a second clasp complementary tosaid first clasp, said first and second clasps being selectively coupledtogether.
 16. The storage device of claim 15, further comprising acarrying strap removably coupled to at least one of a respective shellhaving a first handle portion and a respective shell having a secondhandle portion.
 17. The storage device of claim 16, wherein: said secondportion having an attachment configuration is one of: (A) a fixed hookconfigured to attach to a top end of a door; and (B) a rotatable hookconfigured to attach to a generally horizontal pole and rotate at leastabout ninety degrees relative to said first portion, whereby said shellrotates between a configuration extending generally perpendicular tosaid pole and a configuration extending generally parallel to said pole;said generally horizontal pole is a closet pole; and said shell has agenerally rectangular cross section sized to fit inside a closet whensaid shell extends generally perpendicular to said closet pole.
 18. Thestorage device of claim 17, wherein: said first and second hangerelement portions are selectively separable; said coupling elementsinclude zippers; and at least one of a hook and loop fastener and azipper selectively maintain said door at a closed configuration.
 19. Astorage device, comprising: a plurality of shells; each shell havingupper and lower ends, front and back faces, and opposed sides; eachshell defining an enclosed interior area and having a door for accessingsaid interior area; at least one said shell having a hanger element withfirst and second portions; coupling elements attached to said shells to:(A) selectively maintain said shells one above another in a stackedconfiguration; (B) allow said shells to rotate relative to one anotherto selectively maintain respective back faces adjacent one another; and(C) allow said shells to separate from one another; and a first handleportion adjacent said upper end of at least one said shell having ahanger element; a second handle portion adjacent at least one said shelllower end; and means for selectively coupling said first and secondhandle portions together; wherein said hanger element first portion islowerly adjacent said shell upper end and is configured to distribute ahanging force throughout said shell upper end, said hanger elementsecond portion extending upwardly of said shell upper end and having anattachment configuration.
 20. The storage device of claim 19, wherein:at least one said shell having a first handle portion has a first clasp;and at least one said shell having a second handle portion has a secondclasp complementary to said first clasp, said first and second claspsbeing selectively coupled together.